Borgata Trattoria Osteria – Italian Dining at the Quay

Clarke Quay is one of the first choices for party animals when it comes to a night out in Singapore. But let’s face it, when you want good food at affordable prices, the place is nobody’s first choice. Or so I thought.

The Italian restaurant, Borgata Trattoria Osteria, at The Cannery, offers decent food at decent prices. Take your pick from the menu which offers familiar Italian favourites such as pizzas and pastas, as well as a selection of main courses.

Alfresco seating allows for people-watching along the river, or you can sink into the cushy indoor seats, too.

Portobello
S$16++
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Our choice for the starter is the Portobello which, as an ingredient, neverseems to go wrong. Stuffed with vegetables and ladled over with cheese sauce, juices ooze out as you bite into the succulent mushroom. And that’s not even the best part. The sauce is a winner – rich, creamy and delicious with mushroom bits. Oh, Mama Mia!

Borgata
S$22++
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As for the pizzas, there are classics like the Margherita (tomatoes, mozzarella and basil) and the namesake pizza that comes with a United Colours of Benetton mix of toppings (mozzarella, ham, capsicum, Porcini and Parmesan cheese). The pizza is excellent, with a thin crust so crispy that you will have no problem finishing everything up – all 8 slices of them!

You may wanna go easy on the red chilli pepper flakes though. They are flaming hot! Just a few specks are sufficient to make you wanna reach for that sparkling San Pellegrino. I kid you not!

The fusilli with prawns and Porcini mushroom usually comes in pumpkin sauce, but the chef would be happy to switch it to tomato sauce if you prefer. The sauce is a tad tangy for me, although the sweetness of the plump prawns (neatly sliced along the sides so that the shells come off easily) helps to alleviate the tartness.

Tiramisu and profiterole (sampling portions)
S$9++ for each
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Do save some room for desserts. What kind of an Italian meal would this be without Tiramisu? The cake here is so light and airy, it practically melts in the mouth!

The profiterole is a delightful pastry puff, with chocolate coating on top and creamy milk chocolate at the centre.

Lava cake
S$9++
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The chocolate lava cake arrives in dramatic fashion. It is served in a ramekin, one of those porcelain cups used for baking. The staff would pour rum on top of it, then set it on fire. How’s that for a wow factor? Apart from the flaming drinks like Lamborghini and Waterfall, and the seafood platter at the Manhattan Fish Market, can you think of any more flaming drinks and dishes?

Unlike the regular chocolate fondant where only the core is filled with molten chocolate, the entire top half of the cake is gooey chocolate goodness! The portion is really ample, too. Throw in a cappuccino and I’m done!